Where to Find Air Filters in Your Home

When it comes to air filtration in your home, it's important to know where the air filters are located. In most cases, the air cleaner housing is situated right next to the air handler of your heating or cooling system. This is a large metal box with a fan motor and fan inside, and it's usually found in the basement, attic, or utility closet. It's also likely to be close to your home thermostat, in a return duct.

In larger homes, there may be more than one HVAC system, each with its own filter. Start by looking for filters inside or near the HVAC unit itself. It's likely that these filters will be located next to the oven or air conditioner of the air conditioner. The HVAC unit can often be found in an attic, basement, or in the back of a closet.

Once you've located the unit, look for a hinged or removable cover approximately one inch wide. It can be oriented horizontally or vertically, and you should find a filter already in place. If you're not sure where your air handler is located, check the attic, basement, mezzanines, or garage. If you live in a smaller space (such as an apartment), your unit is likely in a closet.

Some homes are configured for air filters on the return grilles. Clogged filters require the system to put more effort into maintaining standard air circulation in your home.

Types of Air Filters

When it comes to choosing an air filter for your home, there are several options available. Washable, electrostatic, HEPA and spun filters are all cost-effective options that require replacement only every few years.

These can be a good option for filtering a home if one of the residents has a respiratory disorder or allergy. However, selective filtering is one of the main disadvantages of most filters such as HEPA, Spun, Media, Washable and Electrostatic. The first three cannot filter odors and fumes, while the latter two do not guarantee mold and mildew blockage.

How to Know When to Replace Your Filter

The best way to know if the filter needs to be replaced is to check it and the status of your system regularly.

Some companies even offer a phone call service that provides a detailed tour of finding the filters in your home. If you get sick suddenly or frequently despite being at home all day with no known triggers, it should be a sign that your filters are scheduled to be replaced. Now that you've finally found your oven filter, you can learn how to change the air filter and start changing the filter as often as you should. It's common knowledge that you need to replace air filters regularly, and if you don't, damage and costly repairs often result in your HVAC system. The media filter has a high MERV rating that competes with the filtration system of an expensive high-MERV filter. Replacing the air conditioner filter in your home will allow the unit to continue to blow cool air without interruption. They have a larger surface area than other filters and can work effectively for about 3 months to a year before replacing them.

Most homes, especially large ones with multiple HVAC systems, have more than one air filter installed.